Hostas and construction

moosiekodaOctober 13, 2012

We need to replace our drain field for the septic system.

It means completely moving one of my hosta beds.

Question is for the bobcat loader to get to the area, they have to drive through another hosta bed - with about 4 hostas in the way. It will be November and hostas are done for the year. Is it safe for him to drive over those four? they are well established large hostas.

My hostas are mostly frost bit now - can I safely move the big bed to a nursery bed for the winter?

I totally agree with ken. Only 4 hostas, dig them up and given them winter mulch to prevent dessication; then plant in spring. (I think that is what ken was saying!)

Last fall I'd "chunked" a bunch in the dirt like that and this year they were just fine. I do everything possible to prevent even stepping on the eyes of a dormant hostas.

Bobcats are not that heavy but they are skid steer and if a wheel twisted like that over a hosta crown -WOW- that wouold be traumatic! I would either write off the hostas if I couldn't avoid dig them up, or move them as ken recommended.

We had the same problem one year when we had some trees removed. We just put down a couple of sheets of plywood for the bobcat, and took them up when they were finished. It worked fine. Kept them from digging up the ground. Easier than digging up the plants.